Sausage, Pasta, Quinoa, and Teriyaki -- We Cover All the Bases with Dinner This Week

It's time to plan dinner for the week. And it's time to savor winter squash, make braises and curry and plenty of fast meals. Let us help you navigate the path to getting dinner on the table. The weeknight recipes here take less than an hour of mostly hands-off time, many cook much quicker than that but may require constant stirring. These are meals the whole family can enjoy. Join us every week for dinnertime inspiration.

Monday: Roasted Carrots and Red Quinoa

Photography by: John von Pamer

So you love quinoa; who doesn't? Are you ready to up your seed game? Try the gorgeous red variety; these gluten-free maroon seeds pack more flavor and fiber than regular quinoa. Paired with sweet roasted carrots, baby spinach, and shiro miso, a Japanese soybean-rice paste that imparts a salty-sweet note, this satisfying meatless main course is altogether new and totally delicious.

WEDNESDAY: Slow-Cooker Marmalade-and-Vinegar Pork

Let the slow cooker do the work today. Take about 20 minutes to prep, then leave this braise to cook for eight hours in the crock. Orange maramalade and red-wine vinegar give this dish a tang that's a perfect complement to the rich pork shoulder.

FRIDAY: Kielbasa, Apple, and Cheddar Pretzel Tart

Photography by: Bryan Gardner

With sausage and pretzel, this dish is like Oktoberfest as a tart. It's made with yeasted dough, but don't fear -- the recipe calls for frozen pizza dough, or dough from your local pizzeria. Pretzel salt is baked into the crust for a crispy, salty edge. And while the tart bakes, there is ample time to sample some brews.

SATURDAY: Sole Meuniere

Bring the bistro home with this French classic: Martha's recipe is inspired by the one in "Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home." The fish is dredged in flour, cooked till crisp and golden, and served in a nutty brown-butter sauce with capers and lemon.